Politics in Football

[David90+2]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

[blackpoolhibs]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.
:top marks

[Mcbizz1998]

Agree completely mate. Between the politics and that Ibrox disaster embarrassment at the weekend, I’m starting to be put off too. I love hibs and will always attend but my god, it’s getting tougher.

[Alfred E Newman]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.
Agree 100%

[Unseen work]

The worst thing is 95% don’t have a clue what they’re talking about or why they ‘support’ them.

[K-Zazu]

Taking a knee as well, what’s the point?

[Pagan Hibernia]

There's an element of our support that seem determined that we are to be a mini celtic. They should be educated on history. Celtic copy us, we don't copy them!

[Pete70]

Couldn’t agree more.

[Broken Gnome]

The worst thing is 95% don’t have a clue what they’re talking about or why they ‘support’ them.

That's my main bugbear with it, as to how this strength of feeling is supposedly so strong that certain people feel they absolutely have to use football as an outlet for their views.

How many Palestine flags at Celtic Park tonight? Thousands all round the ground? You'll never convince me any sizeable majority of those people are remotely bothered by events in Gaza to the point they desperately need to show some sort of solidarity.

[gbhibby]

Would also add religion has nothing to do with football.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Taking a knee as well, what’s the point?

There's just too much going on before games start these days imo. At Man City on Saturday there was a minutes silence for Israel and Palestine, which transitioned into a minutes applause for Francis Lee (absolutely fair enough), which then transitioned seamlessly into the players taking the knee. It's just weird

[Bostonhibby]

There's an element of our support that seem determined that we are to be a mini celtic. They should be educated on history. Celtic copy us, we don't copy them!We even gave the lessers their first strips....

To be fair on celtc, they don't really have a particular religious/moral high ground or stand point they are basically driven by the opposite of what the huns might do from time to time or copying the likes of liverpool more often than not.




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[Bostonhibby]

Would also add religion has nothing to do with football.This atheist agrees.

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[David90+2]

There's an element of our support that seem determined that we are to be a mini celtic. They should be educated on history. Celtic copy us, we don't copy them!

So why do we accept it?

I’m confident that nowadays, if we heard a racist or homophonic shout the majority would call it out.

Why do we accept tri colours or anti orangeman flags??

[MWHIBBIES]

Politics has inserted itself into football. Saudis, Qataris etc. If one of those horrible regimes came near Hibs, I'd be protesting against their politics and human rights abuses. Surely you all would? Some things are quite a bit more important than your football team.

[Pagan Hibernia]

So why do we accept it?

I’m confident that nowadays, if we heard a racist or homophonic shout the majority would call it out.

Why do we accept tri colours or anti orangeman flags??

I don't have a problem with irish flags at hibs games personally. As you said in your original post we have irish roots that should be celebrated.

I dont like the anti orange order banners at games even if I, like yourself, agree politically

[Pretty Boy]

Politics is everywhere. We'll all encounter it dozens of times a day.

It seems fanciful to expect it to stop at the turnstiles of a football stadium. It's a nice idea that football is some kind of escapism but it isn't and hasn't been for as long as I've been attending games and a cursory glance at a social history book or 5 tells you the conflation of politics and football go back a whole lot longer than that.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Politics has inserted itself into football. Saudis, Qataris etc. If one of those horrible regimes came near Hibs, I'd be protesting against their politics and human rights abuses. Surely you all would? Some things are quite a bit more important than your football team.

Yes, but Israel have not 'come near' Celtic Football Club

[LancsHibs]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

Completely agree

[Mcbizz1998]

There's an element of our support that seem determined that we are to be a mini celtic. They should be educated on history. Celtic copy us, we don't copy them!

That’s bang on. It’s remarkable how all the politics we see and hear at ER is almost identical to Celtic Park, what a coincidence.

[David90+2]

Politics is everywhere. We'll all encounter it dozens of times a day.

It seems fanciful to expect it to stop at the turnstiles of a football stadium. It's a nice idea that football is some kind of escapism but it isn't and hasn't been for as long as I've been attending games and a cursory glance at a social history book or 5 tells you the conflation of politics and football go back a whole lot longer than that.

In a way you’ve proved my point.

It’s not fanciful, at Dundee vs Ross County last night there was nothing, so is it only fanciful at some clubs and not others??

[MWHIBBIES]

Yes, but Israel have not 'come near' Celtic Football Club

Of course not.

Celtic like to insert themselves into these causes. Truth is though, a genocide is happening and war crimes are being committed every day over there. Both sides of our government, and the US government have said this is fine, nothing to see, justified response etc. Its not really surprising some people will protest at football matches.

[Scouse Hibee]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

Well said 👍

[Alfred E Newman]

Of course not.

Celtic like to insert themselves into these causes. Truth is though, a genocide is happening and war crimes are being committed every day over there. Both sides of our government, and the US government have said this is fine, nothing to see, justified response etc. Its not really surprising some people will protest at football matches.

Why would they pick a football match?

[marinello59]

Politics is everywhere. We'll all encounter it dozens of times a day.

It seems fanciful to expect it to stop at the turnstiles of a football stadium. It's a nice idea that football is some kind of escapism but it isn't and hasn't been for as long as I've been attending games and a cursory glance at a social history book or 5 tells you the conflation of politics and football go back a whole lot longer than that.

I’ve been going to Hibs games longer than most here and it’s not been part of my normal match day or anybody I’ve gone to games with, it’s been all about the football. Thank goodness, I’d hate to think I had to support any particular cause just because of the football team I support.

[Broken Gnome]

Of course not.

Celtic like to insert themselves into these causes.

That's pretty much the long and the short of it. In Scotland it's viewed through a prism of whatever Celtic or Rangers decide they want to make a song and dance about, automatically rubbing many others up the wrong way. Knowing fine well Celtic fans in particular - being the godawful narcissists they are - will be absolutely creaming themselves over the fawning reaction they've got from various quarters for tonight's flag show.

Politics in football wouldn't be so bad if messages were out across with a bit of tact and self-awareness. Alas, never the case.

[Pretty Boy]

In a way you’ve proved my point.

It’s not fanciful, at Dundee vs Ross County last night there was nothing, so is it only fanciful at some clubs and not others??

I've got no idea about Ross County but I know a couple of Dundee fans who have some 'interesting' political views and carry a flag or 2 that could be construed as demonstrating them at games.

As clubs both will have taken part in initiatives like the taking the knee, rainbow laces, show racism the red card etc etc. All politics, all widely observed by clubs across the UK and beyond. If we then say that is ok but stuff like us showing support for Ukraine with the women's team wearing yellow and blue strips isn't then we enter the realms of hypocrisy, and alas politics.

As I say it's fanciful to think politics can be removed totally from football because the act of doing so would be viewed as politically motivated in itself.

[CropleyWasGod]

I’ve been going to Hibs games longer than most here and it’s not been part of my normal match day or anybody I’ve gone to games with, it’s been all about the football. Thank goodness, I’d hate to think I had to support any particular cause just because of the football team I support.

When you and I were lads, there were young guys singing about stuff that they knew very little about (Ireland, for example), just to wind the other team's fans up.

In that respect, nothing has changed.

I'm not sure if that counts as politics.

[SHODAN]

If you think football and politics can be separated then you're laughing. There's no such thing as non-political football in this country.

If you don't like it go support Franchise FC in America where everything is completely and utterly sanitised. Either that or change our name to Leith Rovers or whatever because our name in itself is political.

The time is long gone to look for a refuse from all the **** going on in the world right now.

[MWHIBBIES]

Why would they pick a football match?

I dunno, ask them. It's on tv, it's an outlet for many people etc. It's not that far fetched.

[Pretty Boy]

I’ve been going to Hibs games longer than most here and it’s not been part of my normal match day or anybody I’ve gone to games with, it’s been all about the football. Thank goodness, I’d hate to think I had to support any particular cause just because of the football team I support.

It's not part of my match day either but it's part of the match day, whether led by some fans, clubs, associations or a combination of them all.

We still have Black Lives Matter imagery on our dug out roofs as one example. The World Cup saw the furore around the One Love armbands and a whole debate on workers rights, gay rights, women's rights and so on. We have the debates around sportswashing now. There was the debate about the Scotland and England teams wearing poppies a few years back because they were 'political symbols'. Going back to our very formation you had the difficulties we faced in gaining entry to the various sanctioned competitions because they were for 'Scottish teams'. It extends beyond football too with the debate on how Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete at the next Olympics, the criticism of Wimbledon for their stance on such earlier this year, the LIV golf fiasco etc etc.

Sport and politics are inextricably linked whether we as individual fans choose to engage with it or otherwise.

[BILLYHIBS]

It's not part of my match day either but it's part of the match day, whether led by some fans, clubs, associations or a combination of them all.

We still have Black Lives Matter imagery on our dug out roofs as one example. The World Cup saw the furore around the One Love armbands and a whole debate on workers rights, gay rights, women's rights and so on. We have the debates around sportswashing now. There was the debate about the Scotland and England teams wearing poppies a few years back because they were 'political symbols'. Going back to our very formation you had the difficulties we faced in gaining entry to the various sanctioned competitions because they were for 'Scottish teams'. It extends beyond football too with the debate on how Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete at the next Olympics, the criticism of Wimbledon for their stance on such earlier this year, the LIV golf fiasco etc etc.

Sport and politics are inextricably linked whether we as individual fans choose to engage with it or otherwise.

Good post PB

[Glory Lurker]

Would also add religion has nothing to do with football.

Let me be the second person to wholeheartedly endorse that.

[lord bunberry]

Politics is everywhere. We'll all encounter it dozens of times a day.

It seems fanciful to expect it to stop at the turnstiles of a football stadium. It's a nice idea that football is some kind of escapism but it isn't and hasn't been for as long as I've been attending games and a cursory glance at a social history book or 5 tells you the conflation of politics and football go back a whole lot longer than that.
Correct. We wouldn’t have a team to support if politics and football didn’t mix. Times have moved on but I see no reason why football fans should be excluded from having an opinion because some see the game as an escapism. Escapism for some of us is expressing our frustrations and for others it’s just enjoying the game. Both opinions should be able to co exist when there’s a common goal.

[Pretty Boy]

Let me be the second person to wholeheartedly endorse that.

Is religion really that big a deal in football in the UK?

You have the Rangers issue in Scotland but that seems largely a cultural issue and a historic xenophobia rather than anything theological. 'Go home ya Fenian *******' isn't quite 'I object to the practice of transubstantiation because it directly contradicts John Chapter 6 verse 63' in the theological stakes. That shouldn't be read any kind of approval of their songbook but discriminatory employment practices and so on are long gone. I've seen Celtic and to a far lesser extent Hibs mentioned when religion in football is brought up but when anyone is pressed for evidence then it's rarely forthcoming.

You have the occasional debates about Spurs fans chanting 'Yid army' and the odd bit of bigotry when a Muslim player opts out of wearing a gambling sponsor (is that politics again?) or such like and that's about it really. I genuinely struggle to think of many examples of religion being in any way overbearing in football. I suppose Abide with Me at the FA Cup final might be seen as a bit archaic now.

[Glory Lurker]

Is religion really that big a deal in football in the UK?

You have the Rangers issue in Scotland but that seems largely a cultural issue and a historic xenophobia rather than anything theological. 'Go home ya Fenian *******' isn't quite 'I object to the practice of transubstantiation because it directly contradicts John Chapter 6 verse 63' in the theological stakes. That shouldn't be read any kind of approval of their songbook but discriminatory employment practices and so on are long gone. I've seen Celtic and to a far lesser extent Hibs mentioned when religion in football is brought up but when anyone is pressed for evidence then it's rarely forthcoming.

You have the occasional debates about Spurs fans chanting 'Yid army' and the odd bit of bigotry when a Muslim player opts out of wearing a gambling sponsor (is that politics again?) or such like and that's about it really. I genuinely struggle to think of many examples of religion being in any way overbearing in football. I suppose Abide with Me at the FA Cup final might be seen as a bit archaic now.

My one line comment got well and truly battered there, PB! But apart from what you said... :-)

[cameronw-hfc]

I'd have agreed 5 years ago, but I'm more on the fence now. I appreciate its not everyone's cup of tea, but if we take the Palestine issue as an example, the people in Gaza don't have the option to just ignore politics, or mute it on socials, or anything like that, they're forced to live it daily and we're forced to see only one side of the coin.

Most progressive movements, if not all, start because people talk. It's important to talk about these sorts of issues, especially when some can't speak for themselves. It's important to raise awareness, and whilst it might be doom and gloom, or seem like preaching, some issues are much, much larger than us or football and an occasion with tens of thousands of people in attendance is as good a time to make a statement as any.

Palestine, LGBTQ+, anti racism among others are causes I think are bigger than football, and things we need to continue to talk about as a society in order to keep progressing.

Btw, I'm not saying I agree with it, it's just the reality of scottish football especially. I still don't really know how I feel about it, but I understand why it happens, and I understand why people don't want it involved. It's a nuanced issue that I don't think there's a true right or wrong, it's something that was around before me, and most likely will be around after me, because there's no right or wrong. People will see Football games as a chance to make a stand, whether it's because of who they support or what they actually stand for, and others will see it as something that needs wiped out of football.

[JohnM1875]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

Couldn't agree more 👏🏻👏🏻

[Hibs4185]

My family are yams and every year my cousin visits Northern Ireland with his son and his friends. They have no connection with Northern Ireland apart from being diet huns. Brutal

[neil7908]

Politics has inserted itself into football. Saudis, Qataris etc. If one of those horrible regimes came near Hibs, I'd be protesting against their politics and human rights abuses. Surely you all would? Some things are quite a bit more important than your football team.

Agree 100%. I find some of the stuff from Celtic a bit performative but I also like to see fans take a stand on something and stick a middle finger up to their board. It's not like Celtic have just taken up the Palestinian cause - they've been doing it for ages and there is a clear reason based on their history.

If we want to take politics out of football, my absolute first step would be looking at Qatar and Saudi states owning football teams, how Qatar hosted the world cup, and the inevitable Saudi Arabia World Cup bid being successful, despite being one of the nastiest, most abusive regimes in the world.

Let's deal with the billions coming in from politics and once we've done that, I'll start worrying about some flags.

[heretoday]

It's hard to keep politics out of anything.

[Gatecrasher]

I'm sick of it to be honest, I think with celtic coming to ER on Sunday it will be worse than usual. I cringe when politicians try to get cheap political points by sticking their nose into footballing matters and it's just as bad if not worse when fan groups tie themselves to a political entity or ideology.


Football is for football. The rest can GTF.

[Springbank]

The best time in Scottish football was when Rangers died and became irrelevant, and their ubermensch superiority complex and God Save The King nonsense in the 89th minute was getting ridiculed.

They're the problem, folks.

Get rid of the British Empiricists and the world improves immeasurably.

It's hard to sing God Save the King/Queen in the 89th minute when you're 2-2 v Hibs, and Stokes is about to win us a corner, to be taken by Liam Henderson, who is going to deliver....

I'd be all for getting rid of Rangers as the answer

[Betty Boop]

Cannae remember folk complaining when Ukraine was backed, in fact quite the opposite. Because it's Palestine now it's an issue.

[147lothian]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

I would put myself in the same camp as as the Dundee and Ross County fans, even though their game was awful, their fans were there to see a game of football. Football in politics IMO is largely about virtue signaling. Its not what I go to the games for.

[flash]

Personally speaking would rather have a generation who care about what's going on in the world than one who shuts the curtains and pretends all the bad stuff isn't happening.
It's their future that we are damaging with our careless disrespect of the planet and millions of those who live on it.

[James Stephen]

I’m sick fed up with politics interfering with football!

Completely appreciate that some clubs are worse than others, however watching Celtic tonight with all the Palestine flags, and the fact Rangers fans will support Israel…..just to oppose their rivals!

So many are sheep and need to develop their own opinions.

Hibs fans are no better, I completely understand our Irish heritage, this should be celebrated, but not with the aim of antagonising others.

Both at tynie and ibrox I saw the anti Orangeman flag - what does that have to do with Hibs???

To be clear, politically I agree with the sentiment , but it’s got sweet fa to do with football.

I happened to attend Dundee vs ross county last night, and whilst the football was awful (🙈🙈), it was so refreshing to hear football songs being sung, no political flags and fans supporting their team, not a political cause.

Fed up with it and it’s actually putting me off Scottish football.

Politics has always been part of sport, and it has always been part of football. And Hibs were more political than most well into the 20th century.

Its a good thing, its part of what elevates football above other sports, creates the rivalry, tension and yes, hatred.

Ultimately, its popular too - its what allows clubs to transcend local support and grow themselves into something more.

Its always been there, and it will always be there, so youre going to have to make your peace with it.

[Hibrandenburg]

Cannae remember folk complaining when Ukraine was backed, in fact quite the opposite. Because it's Palestine now it's an issue.

With the exception of a few nutjobs, pretty much everyone can agree that the invasion of a sovereign state and murdering its citizens by a fascist dictator is a bad thing. Politics only really becomes a problem when it divides the fans.

[He's here!]

Is religion really that big a deal in football in the UK?

You have the Rangers issue in Scotland but that seems largely a cultural issue and a historic xenophobia rather than anything theological. 'Go home ya Fenian *******' isn't quite 'I object to the practice of transubstantiation because it directly contradicts John Chapter 6 verse 63' in the theological stakes. That shouldn't be read any kind of approval of their songbook but discriminatory employment practices and so on are long gone. I've seen Celtic and to a far lesser extent Hibs mentioned when religion in football is brought up but when anyone is pressed for evidence then it's rarely forthcoming.

You have the occasional debates about Spurs fans chanting 'Yid army' and the odd bit of bigotry when a Muslim player opts out of wearing a gambling sponsor (is that politics again?) or such like and that's about it really. I genuinely struggle to think of many examples of religion being in any way overbearing in football. I suppose Abide with Me at the FA Cup final might be seen as a bit archaic now.

The fact that a hefty number of Rangers (and Celtic) fans continue to thrive on such issues unfortunately means religion remains a big deal in Scottish football, causing ructions and hatred that gets ingrained in successive generations for reasons that seem prehistoric to fans of most other clubs. When clubs are so closely aligned to a religion it also has a knock-on effect in the way other fans react (eg Hearts fans disrupting a pre-match silence for the Pope). It's a daft, often horrible blight on our game.

As for politics, I personally feel those with an agenda (most particularly the likes of the Green Brigade) are the ones responsible for imposing their political views on other fans, the majority of whom are in the 'football as escapism' camp. No rational person could argue with an initiative like Show Racism the Red Card in a sport where so many players are black and it's obviously correct to unite and educate fans around that, but there is IMO too much political point-scoring when it comes to issues that have nothing to do with football and only serve to sow division.

[He's here!]

Politics has always been part of sport, and it has always been part of football. And Hibs were more political than most well into the 20th century.

Its a good thing, its part of what elevates football above other sports, creates the rivalry, tension and yes, hatred.

Ultimately, its popular too - its what allows clubs to transcend local support and grow themselves into something more.

Its always been there, and it will always be there, so youre going to have to make your peace with it.

It's a 'good thing' to create hatred?!

The world's full enough of that without football fans with a political agenda stirring up more.

[JimBHibees]

It's not part of my match day either but it's part of the match day, whether led by some fans, clubs, associations or a combination of them all.

We still have Black Lives Matter imagery on our dug out roofs as one example. The World Cup saw the furore around the One Love armbands and a whole debate on workers rights, gay rights, women's rights and so on. We have the debates around sportswashing now. There was the debate about the Scotland and England teams wearing poppies a few years back because they were 'political symbols'. Going back to our very formation you had the difficulties we faced in gaining entry to the various sanctioned competitions because they were for 'Scottish teams'. It extends beyond football too with the debate on how Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete at the next Olympics, the criticism of Wimbledon for their stance on such earlier this year, the LIV golf fiasco etc etc.

Sport and politics are inextricably linked whether we as individual fans choose to engage with it or otherwise.

Fantastic post

[JimBHibees]

My family are yams and every year my cousin visits Northern Ireland with his son and his friends. They have no connection with Northern Ireland apart from being diet huns. Brutal

How depressing

[Pretty Boy]

Personally speaking would rather have a generation who care about what's going on in the world than one who shuts the curtains and pretends all the bad stuff isn't happening.
It's their future that we are damaging with our careless disrespect of the planet and millions of those who live on it.

I agree.

Probably going off on a bit of a tangent here but it must be pretty ***** to be young these days in some ways. If you have strong political feelings then you must feel totally disenfranchised as the main parties all target a demographic of voters who have an interest in largely preserving the status quo often at the expense of helping young people afford further education or get on the property ladder as 2 examples. There is also a print media that largely speaks to a more right wing, older generation. Even the left leaning Guardian is hardly a beacon of hope for young working class people from Leith, Pilton or Niddrie.

I can understand why young guys and girls in particular see a game of football when they are in a big crowd together as a chance to have their voices heard. Take the coronation as an example. Polling showed that there was little interest in it among 18-24 year olds and comparable disinterest among those 25 to mid 30s. Yet we had wall to wall TV coverage, much of it sycophantic. Of course in the days of multiple media platforms it was easy enough to avoid but equally there was little chance for those who opposed it not just to ignore it but actively say we don't agree with this in an arena where they would be heard and seen. I wouldn't have done it but if a few Hibs fans made a banner stating '**** the coronoation, feed the poor' then good luck to them, it got seen and it made their voices heard. I can't think of any other mass gathering at which it would have got as much exposure. No one was forced to join in and no one said you have to oppose the coronation to be a Hibs fan.

Maybe I'm a fantasist, and judging by this thread I'm a minority, but I have no issue with football being used to platform causes. It would be a sad day for me if Hibs opted out of participating in show racism the red card, the rainbow laces campaign or the womens team had opted not to wear the yellow and blue Ukraine kits because a day at the football should be solely about football and nothing else.

[marinello59]

Politics has always been part of sport, and it has always been part of football. And Hibs were more political than most well into the 20th century.

Its a good thing, its part of what elevates football above other sports, creates the rivalry, tension and yes, hatred.

Ultimately, its popular too - its what allows clubs to transcend local support and grow themselves into something more.

Its always been there, and it will always be there, so youre going to have to make your peace with it.

If supporting a political cause is about generating hatred then I'll pass.

[Spike Mandela]

Politics affects EVERY aspect of life. Sport is very much affected by politics and is often used by politicians to make a point.

It’s a pity more people don’t feel enthused enough to get involved and hold leaders, authorities and politicians to account. A lot of people seem to prefer closing their eyes, covering their ears and singing na na na na.

[Mcbizz1998]

The best time in Scottish football was when Rangers died and became irrelevant, and their ubermensch superiority complex and God Save The King nonsense in the 89th minute was getting ridiculed.

They're the problem, folks.

Get rid of the British Empiricists and the world improves immeasurably.

It's hard to sing God Save the King/Queen in the 89th minute when you're 2-2 v Hibs, and Stokes is about to win us a corner, to be taken by Liam Henderson, who is going to deliver....

I'd be all for getting rid of Rangers as the answer

As much as I hate the huns, it wasn't them holding up banners in support of the so called 'resistance' 3 days after one of the most heinous terror attacks in recent memory. You obviously have your opinions on Britain/Monarchy, but a British football club singing the British national anthem isn't particularly political. The huns do of course sing many political ditties as well, but then so do Celtic. To say that all this goes away if Rangers cease to exist just isn't true. We need rid of both of them and all the mini-huns and mini-tims that have infiltrated the Edinburgh clubs as well.

[MKHIBEE]

Cannae remember folk complaining when Ukraine was backed, in fact quite the opposite. Because it's Palestine now it's an issue.

No real surprise there, Western hypocrisy at its finest

[flash]

I agree.

Probably going off on a bit of a tangent here but it must be pretty ***** to be young these days in some ways. If you have strong political feelings then you must feel totally disenfranchised as the main parties all target a demographic of voters who have an interest in largely preserving the status quo often at the expense of helping young people afford further education or get on the property ladder as 2 examples. There is also a print media that largely speaks to a more right wing, older generation. Even the left leaning Guardian is hardly a beacon of hope for young working class people from Leith, Pilton or Niddrie.

I can understand why young guys and girls in particular see a game of football when they are in a big crowd together as a chance to have their voices heard. Take the coronation as an example. Polling showed that there was little interest in it among 18-24 year olds and comparable disinterest among those 25 to mid 30s. Yet we had wall to wall TV coverage, much of it sycophantic. Of course in the days of multiple media platforms it was easy enough to avoid but equally there was little chance for those who opposed it not just to ignore it but actively say we don't agree with this in an arena where they would be heard and seen. I wouldn't have done it but if a few Hibs fans made a banner stating '**** the coronoation, feed the poor' then good luck to them, it got seen and it made their voices heard. I can't think of any other mass gathering at which it would have got as much exposure. No one was forced to join in and no one said you have to oppose the coronation to be a Hibs fan.

Maybe I'm a fantasist, and judging by this thread I'm a minority, but I have no issue with football being used to platform causes. It would be a sad day for me if Hibs opted out of participating in show racism the red card, the rainbow laces campaign or the womens team had opted not to wear the yellow and blue Ukraine kits because a day at the football should be solely about football and nothing else.
Agree with every word.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Cannae remember folk complaining when Ukraine was backed, in fact quite the opposite. Because it's Palestine now it's an issue.

Good point, and very true

[Pagan Hibernia]

My family are yams and every year my cousin visits Northern Ireland with his son and his friends. They have no connection with Northern Ireland apart from being diet huns. Brutal

Their annual visit wouldn't happen to be around July time would it?

[Vini1875]

Happy to see political expressions in football stadiums. Often fans of a particular club come from one type of community. Hibs might have expanded a bit from our original support but I'm happy enough to see expressions of our origins.

[Mcbizz1998]

No real surprise there, Western hypocrisy at its finest

Not really hypocrisy. The West and Russia have always been adversaries, with Ukraine having close ties with NATO is seen as an ally. The West is also a firm ally of Israel, who were attacked.

On both occasions the West has backed it's ally. The difference here is that with Russia/Ukraine it has been depicted that there is no real nuance (Russia = bad, Ukraine = good), where as Israel and Palestine is painted as much more nuanced (as it is), resulting in Western governments supporting Israel whilst certain elements of the media and large swathes of its population supporting Palestine.

This is what makes it become incredibly political - we didn't see Celtic or any other club supporting Ukraine to the degree we saw support for Palestine at CP last night because it went without saying, almost everyone agreed that Ukraine have been wronged and should be supported. That is not the case with Israel and Palestine.

[I'm Spartacus]

Then there's the lighting of stadiums for certain things but not others, a minutes silence for the Pope's passing but not other religious faiths.

I would keep a minutes silence to respect the loss of someone connected to the club playing the first game after it has happened, or someone connected to our national game. Then there's something major that has happened in the home country where we can pay our respects (Lockerbie or Dunblane). Armbands can be used for all other payments of respect with a piece in the match programme and on the screens.

Stuff like the Queen/Pope are just asking for national embarrassment.

[Eyrie]

There are enough divisions in the world based on politics that it is important that we have some areas in life where people can connect based on a mutual interest despite their differing opinions, if for no other reason than to be reminded that those they disagree with are people too.

A football stadium should be one such place because we are all there to support our team. If someone wants to show their support for a political cause, then they should arrange their own event to do so for like minded people instead of forcing their view on fellow fans who will not all have the same belief.

[James Stephen]

If supporting a political cause is about generating hatred then I'll pass.

Maybe worded a bit clumsily, but i mean hatred between clubs - its what makes great football rivalries and atmospheres.

[expresso]

Some folk need to read up more on the formation and early years of our club then they’ll see how politics is intrinsically linked to football and its supporters.

[Mcbizz1998]

There are enough divisions in the world based on politics that it is important that we have some areas in life where people can connect based on a mutual interest despite their differing opinions, if for no other reason than to be reminded that those they disagree with are people too.

A football stadium should be one such place because we are all there to support our team. If someone wants to show their support for a political cause, then they should arrange their own event to do so for like minded people instead of forcing their view on fellow fans who will not all have the same belief.

Exactly. We all share one thing at Easter Road, our love of Hibernian Football Club, that's all it should be about.

[James Stephen]

Exactly. We all share one thing at Easter Road, our love of Hibernian Football Club, that's all it should be about.

That makes no sense though, and takes no account of the reasons WHY people support Hibs, or any other club.

Supporting Hibs by definition was, until the post war era, a political act. You wouldnt have a club to support if everyone took your advice. Hibernian were for decades a political and religious symbol to a community, and paid the price for it.

And even 'supporting your local team' can be inherently political depending on geography, area, social class.

Football doesn't exist in a vacuum, and its the main reason it is the sport it is, and not just any other run-of-the-mill sport that people take a passing interest in.

[expresso]

That makes no sense though, and takes no account of the reasons WHY people support Hibs, or any other club.

Supporting Hibs by definition was, until the post war era, a political act. You wouldnt have a club to support if everyone took your advice. Hibernian were for decades a political and religious symbol to a community, and paid the price for it.

And even 'supporting your local team' can be inherently political depending on geography, area, social class.

Football doesn't exist in a vacuum, and its the main reason it is the sport it is, and not just any other run-of-the-mill sport that people take a passing interest in.

👏👏👏

[Eyrie]

That makes no sense though, and takes no account of the reasons WHY people support Hibs, or any other club.

Supporting Hibs by definition was, until the post war era, a political act. You wouldnt have a club to support if everyone took your advice. Hibernian were for decades a political and religious symbol to a community, and paid the price for it.

And even 'supporting your local team' can be inherently political depending on geography, area, social class.

Football doesn't exist in a vacuum, and its the main reason it is the sport it is, and not just any other run-of-the-mill sport that people take a passing interest in.

You do realise that this is 2023, not the pre-war era, and modern Hibs fans are Hibs fans for many differing reasons?

[WhileTheChief..]

Swap the green and blue bits on the 2 flags and you’d see Star of David flags at Parkhead.

[flash]

Swap the green and blue bits on the 2 flags and you’d see Star of David flags at Parkhead.

Well it's an opinion.

[He's here!]

Maybe worded a bit clumsily, but i mean hatred between clubs - its what makes great football rivalries and atmospheres.

When hatred for another club perpetuates some of the truly hideous behaviour/songs we hear and in extreme cases the murder of other fans simply for wearing the wrong colours it takes things way beyond 'great rivalry'.

Hatred can never be a positive thing and football is the worse for it.

[expresso]

Swap the green and blue bits on the 2 flags and you’d see Star of David flags at Parkhead.

Are you 14?

[James Stephen]

You do realise that this is 2023, not the pre-war era, and modern Hibs fans are Hibs fans for many differing reasons?

Exactly, there are many, many reasons why people support all football clubs, and clubs identitieds reflect those - often, they are political (or sociological).

[He's here!]

That makes no sense though, and takes no account of the reasons WHY people support Hibs, or any other club.

Supporting Hibs by definition was, until the post war era, a political act. You wouldnt have a club to support if everyone took your advice. Hibernian were for decades a political and religious symbol to a community, and paid the price for it.

And even 'supporting your local team' can be inherently political depending on geography, area, social class.

Football doesn't exist in a vacuum, and its the main reason it is the sport it is, and not just any other run-of-the-mill sport that people take a passing interest in.

My grandad started watching Hibs in the 1920s and I don't recall him ever mentioning it being a 'political act'. He only ever talked about the football and some of the players he was privileged to see throughout his life. Sure, the early troubles the club had in becoming accepted into Scottish football as it emerged from 'Little Ireland' are well documented and a fundamental part of our history but it's to the credit of the club and its supporters that those sort of issues are long-ago history and that we have for many years been as inclusive a football club as any. You just need to look west to see the sort of ancient baggage that Celtic and Rangers carry around to be reminded of how self-defeating that can be.

[James Stephen]

When hatred for another club perpetuates some of the truly hideous behaviour/songs we hear and in extreme cases the murder of other fans simply for wearing the wrong colours it takes things way beyond 'great rivalry'.

Hatred can never be a positive thing and football is the worse for it.

The thousands who pack out stadiums, and the millions who watch on tv to experience these grudge matches would suggest different.

[James Stephen]

My grandad started watching Hibs in the 1920s and I don't recall him ever mentioning it being a 'political act'. He only ever talked about the football and some of the players he was privileged to see throughout his life. Sure, the early troubles the club had in becoming accepted into Scottish football as it emerged from 'Little Ireland' are well documented and a fundamental part of our history but it's to the credit of the club and its supporters that those sort of issues are long-ago history and that we have for many years been as inclusive a football club as any. You just need to look west to see the sort of ancient baggage that Celtic and Rangers carry around to be reminded of how self-defeating that can be.

Perhaps he didnt see it like that. But Hibs were still very much a political club, with a political support, and still seen as a Scots/Irish club well into the 20s.

Out of curiosity, why did your granddad become a Hibs fan?

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Whether we like it or not, political agendas will always be in football

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/why-israel-european-championships-football-play-1796483

https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/item/politics-and-sport-how-fifa-uefa-and-the-ioc-regulate-political-statements-by-athletes

Second link more interesting read

https://en.as.com/latest_news/what-does-the-star-of-david-mean-and-why-does-it-appear-on-the-flag-of-the-state-of-israel-n/

[Rumble de Thump]

I don't even really like football.

[Hibrandenburg]

I don't even really like football.

You're obviously not alone. Looks like the actual football is secondary to many on here.

[He's here!]

Perhaps he didnt see it like that. But Hibs were still very much a political club, with a political support, and still seen as a Scots/Irish club well into the 20s.

Out of curiosity, why did your granddad become a Hibs fan?

He passed away a long time ago but I'm guessing it was maybe easier to get to ER than Tynecastle from Liberton. Either that or the Hibs connection goes back further than I'm aware of, but he never passed down any political/religious rationale for the succeeding generations of my family to support Hibs.

I understand why fans like to hold on to romantic elements of the club's origins, and it's natural to warm to quotes about the likes of James Connolly being much-saddened by news of a Hibs defeat, but I'd have no truck with today's Hibs nailing their colours to the Irish Republican cause in they way so many Celtic fans continue to do.

[Pretty Boy]

Out of interest has anyone who says 'keep politics out of football' ever read the mission statement and stated goals of the 'Greenest Club in Scotland' initiative?

Based in the heart of Scotland’s Greenest City*, it is our ambition at Hibernian Football Club to retain our status as Scotland’s Greenest Club. We align our actions with the UN Sustainable Goals and were the first Scottish Football Club, and second British Football Club, to sign up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. This has seen a comprehensive incorporation of climate change and its impacts into our business strategy for all operations, events, procurement, infrastructure and communications.
We are responsible citizens and are committed to playing our part in furthering the conversation on sustainability in football. As part of this commitment, we participated in the Sustainability in Football panel hosted jointly by Football for
Future and After the Pandemic at Cop26.

And goals of:

Zero Hunger
Good health and well being
Quality education
Gender equality
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Developing partnerships for the goals

That all reads as pretty political to me and parts of it have undoubtedly merged into the 'match day experience'. Would people be happy to see all that go so we could remain as a club fiercely apolitical? Do we stop charity bucket collections prematch from any groups that carry out any political lobbying or provide services that are partially the responsibility of the state? Do we tell the LGBTQI+ supporters club they have to disband because trans rights are a bit of a political hot potato at the moment and 'we are all Hibs fans anyway'? Do we scrap foodbank collections as the Trussel Trust whilst being an NGO themselves actively campaign on political issues? Do we remove the 'Black Lives Matter' signs from the dug outs?

A lot of that will read like nonsense because it is nonsense. The idea you can have a football club that is totally apolitical is in itself nonsense. Football clubs exist within the real world and the real world is immersed in politics. Even if you believe football should be escapism from said real world, it's still not possible without abandoning community responsibility or being total hypocrites. A lot of it doesn't read like 'keep politics out of football' but rather 'keep some of the politics I don't like out of football' which is a different argument entirely.

[James Stephen]

He passed away a long time ago but I'm guessing it was maybe easier to get to ER than Tynecastle from Liberton. Either that or the Hibs connection goes back further than I'm aware of, but he never passed down any political/religious rationale for the succeeding generations of my family to support Hibs.

I understand why fans like to hold on to romantic elements of the club's origins, and it's natural to warm to quotes about the likes of James Connolly being much-saddened by news of a Hibs defeat, but I'd have no truck with today's Hibs nailing their colours to the Irish Republican cause in they way so many Celtic fans continue to do.

Thats fair, and i dont think Hibs do that.

But refugees welcome, black lives matter, rainbow laces, poppys, even the NHS sponsor a year or two back, are all politics too. The Queen's death tribute.

People (not saying you are like this) tend to be against politics that they personally dont like, being involved in fitba, rather than politics per se, being involved in fitba.

[NAE NOOKIE]

If you genuinely support a club because that club reflects your social or political views then fine. If you base your social or political views on what club you support then you are a moron and shouldn't be allowed to vote.

[nickwhibs]

I get the point about some fans using politics or religion just to wind up opposition fans. but generally speaking I have no issue with politics in football stadiums. Of course I primarily go to the football for the football as do most people. However I think we need to allow people to express some political feelings - through campaigns or expressions of solidarity. Politics shouldn’t be a taboo subject. The fact we only get to vote every 4/5 years means that football stadiums and fans coming together can be a good opportunity to share political views / take some form of action. I do also get the point about football being escapism - it certainly is for me, when you have a fairly stressful life. However it still has that for me regardless of some flags and banners. Was there not some argument that politicians are happy with working class folk going to the football as it takes their mind off voicing their discontent or holding politicians to account?

[SHODAN]

Again, those unhappy with politics in football should maybe think about supporting a club that isn't named Irishmen in Latin. The name might be a wee bit too political for you. :dunno:

[matty_f]

I think there's a place for it and personally I want to see Hibs being a force for good where we can. We (Hibs) are an important part of the community, and the Community Foundation does some terrific work using the club as the reason for people to get involved.

You need anti-racism and anti-homophobia campaigns because footballers are targeted for their race and their sexualities.

I do agree that there is a line (where that line is, I don't know) - minute's silence for very tenuously linked or sometimes completely unassociated figures, for instance, raise the question about why football fans need to show more respect than other demographics (depending on when matches fall, there have been times where we've had a silence or applause on multiple matches for the same thing - as home support one match, away the next).

And Betty Boop raised a good point about the selective nature of it - we'll fly a flag for Ukraine but we won't touch the Palestine issue with a barge pole as a club (even if some supporters will).

So I think there is an important place for politics in football and that is important that Hibs are part of that, but also there's a point where I think it's fair to question why the club is getting involved, and on a wider note, why the league is insisting on involvement.

[He's here!]

Out of interest has anyone who says 'keep politics out of football' ever read the mission statement and stated goals of the 'Greenest Club in Scotland' initiative?

Based in the heart of Scotland’s Greenest City*, it is our ambition at Hibernian Football Club to retain our status as Scotland’s Greenest Club. We align our actions with the UN Sustainable Goals and were the first Scottish Football Club, and second British Football Club, to sign up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. This has seen a comprehensive incorporation of climate change and its impacts into our business strategy for all operations, events, procurement, infrastructure and communications.
We are responsible citizens and are committed to playing our part in furthering the conversation on sustainability in football. As part of this commitment, we participated in the Sustainability in Football panel hosted jointly by Football for
Future and After the Pandemic at Cop26.

And goals of:

Zero Hunger
Good health and well being
Quality education
Gender equality
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Developing partnerships for the goals

That all reads as pretty political to me and parts of it have undoubtedly merged into the 'match day experience'. Would people be happy to see all that go so we could remain as a club fiercely apolitical? Do we stop charity bucket collections prematch from any groups that carry out any political lobbying or provide services that are partially the responsibility of the state? Do we tell the LGBTQI+ supporters club they have to disband because trans rights are a bit of a political hot potato at the moment and 'we are all Hibs fans anyway'? Do we scrap foodbank collections as the Trussel Trust whilst being an NGO themselves actively campaign on political issues? Do we remove the 'Black Lives Matter' signs from the dug outs?

A lot of that will read like nonsense because it is nonsense. The idea you can have a football club that is totally apolitical is in itself nonsense. Football clubs exist within the real world and the real world is immersed in politics. Even if you believe football should be escapism from said real world, it's still not possible without abandoning community responsibility or being total hypocrites. A lot of it doesn't read like 'keep politics out of football' but rather 'keep some of the politics I don't like out of football' which is a different argument entirely.

That's a fair point, but a sustainability strategy (something pretty much any big business makes a lot of play about these days) is a very different 'political' beast to, say, attempting to align your club's fans against the world's only Jewish state. Rather than 'keeping some of the politics I don't like out of football' I think many fans would err towards keeping politics away from the game that have no logical place in football and will only sow the seeds of rancour and division.

Credit to Hibs though for their community involvement and their commitment to a greener game.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Again, those unhappy with politics in football should maybe think about supporting a club that isn't named Irishmen in Latin. The name might be a wee bit too political for you. :dunno:

Depends on your definition of political I suppose.

Naming a club after the place where most of your players and fans came from doesnt necessarily have to be any more political than a football club in Dundee being named Dundee Football Club.

In Hibs case, it clearly was political (at the start) but that doesn't change the point.

[Since452]

Celtic football club. Their fans want to, and feel entitled to get involved with any political issue that suits their agenda. The weirdest fanbase in world football followed closely by the huns.

[flash]

Celtic football club. Their fans want to, and feel entitled to get involved with any political issue that suits their agenda. The weirdest fanbase in world football followed closely by the huns.

No lover of either Glasgow team but would suggest you do a bit of reading if you want to see how fans in other parts of the world go about things.

[Paul1642]

Couldn’t agree more. Last night at parkhead I saw what after a fair bit of googling I now know to be a flag of the second Spanish republic. What’s the point.

[James Stephen]

I think there's a place for it and personally I want to see Hibs being a force for good where we can. We (Hibs) are an important part of the community, and the Community Foundation does some terrific work using the club as the reason for people to get involved.

You need anti-racism and anti-homophobia campaigns because footballers are targeted for their race and their sexualities.

I do agree that there is a line (where that line is, I don't know) - minute's silence for very tenuously linked or sometimes completely unassociated figures, for instance, raise the question about why football fans need to show more respect than other demographics (depending on when matches fall, there have been times where we've had a silence or applause on multiple matches for the same thing - as home support one match, away the next).

And Betty Boop raised a good point about the selective nature of it - we'll fly a flag for Ukraine but we won't touch the Palestine issue with a barge pole as a club (even if some supporters will).

So I think there is an important place for politics in football and that is important that Hibs are part of that, but also there's a point where I think it's fair to question why the club is getting involved, and on a wider note, why the league is insisting on involvement.

Yeah i agree, and there is also often a distinction between what the club (officially) will do, and what fans (or some fans) do.

I agree some of the manufactured grief and respect that clubs now do can be quite transparent, and i would have more reapect for clubs who dont just unthinkingly follow the herd because its easy.

And fans will always have things that resonate more or less, and this will always be linked to their identity (real or imagined).

I personally have never understood how a flag or a song - especially one weve all heard or seen thousands of times before - gets grown adults so worked up. The world is a richer place for its differences of opinion, and football is a far more interesting sport for them too, in my humble view.

And lets face it, if supporting a football club was only about the sport on the field, there would be a lot more emptu seats around Scotland. Clubs are all about identity and politics / sociology / religion and any number of other societal factors are huge in shaping that identity. Its certainly true of both Hibs and Hearts, neither of which earned their places at the top of Edinburgh, then Scottish football, based solely on football and nothing else.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Couldn’t agree more. Last night at parkhead I saw what after a fair bit of googling I now know to be a flag of the second Spanish republic. What’s the point.

That was for Atletico's benefit. They were known to be the 'team of the regime' before Franco switched over to Real Madrid due to their European success in the 50s.

Still nonsensical for celtic fans to be waving it about at a football match in 2023.

[James Stephen]

Couldn’t agree more. Last night at parkhead I saw what after a fair bit of googling I now know to be a flag of the second Spanish republic. What’s the point.

I suspect it was to noise up Atleti fans, who in Spain have a reputation as being quite right wing. I think they were originally a military club (Atletico Aviacion) and so were seen as a bit linked to the nationalist side in the Spanish civil war?

[Paul1642]

I suspect it was to noise up Atleti fans, who in Spain have a reputation as being quite right wing. I think they were originally a military club (Atletico Aviacion) and so were seen as a bit linked to the nationalist side in the Spanish civil war?

I get the reason why a Celtic fan has brought it however in this spirit of this thread i can’t help but feel that brining a flag from a civil war that occurred a few thousand miles away and ended before most in the stadium were born is a bit pathetic.

[hibsbollah]

That's my main bugbear with it, as to how this strength of feeling is supposedly so strong that certain people feel they absolutely have to use football as an outlet for their views.

How many Palestine flags at Celtic Park tonight? Thousands all round the ground? You'll never convince me any sizeable majority of those people are remotely bothered by events in Gaza to the point they desperately need to show some sort of solidarity.


I don't think this argument (that those in the Celtic ground or any other don't genuinely care about Gaza) really stands up to scrutiny.

Its about basic human solidarity (which does not have to be the preserve of 'the left' incidentally.)

Caring about the plight of the Palestinian civilians and the war crimes being imposed upon them, and then acting upon it publicly, isn't all that different from attending the funeral of a neighbour you didn't know all that well but want to demonstrate empathy for, or many acts that aren't considered political in a narrow sense, like banging pans for NHS workers or applauding the memory of Bradley Lowery. The political=the personal which should then=empathy.

If we're being told by commentators to think differently about these public displays of solidarity because they're happening in a stadium by football fans, id suggest that's probably because there's a perception that they want you to hold that football fans are too stupid to be interested in empathy for others, or indeed politics. These kind of commentators need to be ignored.

Its also worth remembering that Celtic FC as an organisation are actively criticising the Green Brigade and associated groups for doing these things, and that the club and that section of the fan base are at war with each other about it. The same thing is happening at big clubs throughout Europe, and its very much not a Celtic, or a solely Scottish hun v tim/sectarian powerplay phenomenon.

[Bridge hibs]

BIGOT BANNED Judges rule using word ‘Hun’ for Rangers fans IS a sectarian slur – and say it’s same as calling Celtic fans ‘Fenians’
Stuart MacDonald
Published: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023Updated: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023

[DIXIHIBS]

Again, those unhappy with politics in football should maybe think about supporting a club that isn't named Irishmen in Latin. The name might be a wee bit too political for you. :dunno:


Vast majority of hibs fans support the club through family or local team...not politics. If Leith Athletic had become the dominant team this side of the city we would probably be supporting them. Supporting hibs in the 21st century has very little political significance compared to those who supported them in the 19th century imho.

[Bristolhibby]

Why would they pick a football match?

It’s a good place where thousands congregate.

Not often that happens in “normal” life.

J

[Bristolhibby]

Couldn’t agree more. Last night at parkhead I saw what after a fair bit of googling I now know to be a flag of the second Spanish republic. What’s the point.

One of the few (perhaps only) flag to have purple in it.

!No Pasaran!

J

[Bristolhibby]

BIGOT BANNED Judges rule using word ‘Hun’ for Rangers fans IS a sectarian slur – and say it’s same as calling Celtic fans ‘Fenians’
Stuart MacDonald
Published: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023Updated: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023

Well I’ll be.

What happens if a Church of Scotland Christened Protestant uses the word?

Can you be bigoted towards yourself?

J

[DIXIHIBS]

Well I’ll be.

What happens if a Church of Scotland Christened Protestant uses the word?

Can you be bigoted towards yourself?

J

Ive just found out that half my hibs supporting mates are now huns...i think:hmmm:

[Bristolhibby]

Ive just found out that half my hibs supporting mates are now huns...i think:hmmm:

I think I am a Hun. Albeit an Athiest Hun.

J

[hibby rae]

That was for Atletico's benefit. They were known to be the 'team of the regime' before Franco switched over to Real Madrid due to their European success in the 50s.

Still nonsensical for celtic fans to be waving it about at a football match in 2023.

I'd say Real were always a regime team due to being a monarchist team and also, Bernebau was on the nationalist side, possibly a Falangist.

Atletico have Basque roots and, until Franco started a crackdown on non-Spanish languages, they were Athletic Madrid.


The irony of the Green Brigade waving the Second Republic flag is a lot of Irish nationalists supported Franco due to the republic and it's allies being generally anti-religion

[hibby rae]

BIGOT BANNED Judges rule using word ‘Hun’ for Rangers fans IS a sectarian slur – and say it’s same as calling Celtic fans ‘Fenians’
Stuart MacDonald
Published: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023Updated: 8:09, 9 Oct 2023

I'd be interested in hearing the argument for that given a) no one can agree/confirm the origins of it's use and b) supporters or every other club use it to describe Rangers, even those who can have similar fanbases, or cultures

[Pretty Boy]

I'd say Real were always a regime team due to being a monarchist team and also, Bernebau was on the nationalist side, possibly a Falangist.

Atletico have Basque roots and, until Franco started a crackdown on non-Spanish languages, they were Athletic Madrid.


The irony of the Green Brigade waving the Second Republic flag is a lot of Irish nationalists supported Franco due to the republic and it's allies being generally anti-religion

I'd suppose the Celtic fans waving that flag would point to La Quinta Brigada/Connolly's Column as their reason for doing so.

A discussion for another day of course.

[HIBS NUTS]

I suspect it was to noise up Atleti fans, who in Spain have a reputation as being quite right wing. I think they were originally a military club (Atletico Aviacion) and so were seen as a bit linked to the nationalist side in the Spanish civil war?

When in Madrid and speaking to Athletico fans , i was under the impression that they were the socialists, they certainly called real supporters facists.

[Rumble de Thump]

I'd be interested in hearing the argument for that given a) no one can agree/confirm the origins of it's use and b) supporters or every other club use it to describe Rangers, even those who can have similar fanbases, or cultures

On the face of it, it seems like some Sevco supporting police officers have taken the huff after being called Huns and some judges have set an unhelpful precedent by pretending that when someone refers to a sevco fan as a 'hun' they're only doing so because they think they're a Protestant.

Everyone knows that Sevco fans only fairly recently started claiming 'hun' is a sectarian term because they didn't like being told off for calling Catholics 'fenians' or 'tims'. I'm sure there ws some anti-discrimination group that set the ball rolling a while back by incorrectly labelling 'hun' as sectarianism. It was all about bothsidesing. As far as trying to remove sectarianism from society, it's extremely unhelpful and problematic.

[Pretty Boy]

When in Madrid and speaking to Athletico fans , i was under the impression that they were the socialists, they certainly called real supporters facists.

Their history is pretty nuanced. This article sums it up pretty briefly:

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-everything-you-know-about-madrid-derby-might-be-wrong

Both the Frente Atletico of Atletico Madrid and the ultra Sur of Real have pretty clear links with the far right. There was a pretty depressing episode between them a couple of years back with imagery of Anne Frank used by one group to insult the other.

[Bristolhibby]

I'd say Real were always a regime team due to being a monarchist team and also, Bernebau was on the nationalist side, possibly a Falangist.

Atletico have Basque roots and, until Franco started a crackdown on non-Spanish languages, they were Athletic Madrid.


The irony of the Green Brigade waving the Second Republic flag is a lot of Irish nationalists supported Franco due to the republic and it's allies being generally anti-religion

Also a lot of Irish, Scots and British fought and died in the International Brigades.

Spent some time in Madrid last month and walked the streets that they marched through on their way to the front lines (which aren’t far from the center at all).

Fair play to them. They were right about Fascists all along. Took the rest of the world a few years to work it out.

J

[Bishop Hibee]

I'd say Real were always a regime team due to being a monarchist team and also, Bernebau was on the nationalist side, possibly a Falangist.

Atletico have Basque roots and, until Franco started a crackdown on non-Spanish languages, they were Athletic Madrid.

The Spanish Republicans
The irony of the Green Brigade waving the Second Republic flag is a lot of Irish nationalists supported Franco due to the republic and it's allies being generally anti-religion

However in the Basque Country, Catholic religious supported the Republican government in the main.

Politics and football always have and always will mix. I remember a ‘No Poll Tax’ banner in the Hibs end st a semi final at Hampden in the late ‘80’s.

[Pagan Hibernia]

However in the Basque Country, Catholic religious supported the Republican government in the main.

Politics and football always have and always will mix. I rent a ‘No Poll Tax’ banner in the Hibs end st a semi final at Hampden in the late ‘80’s.


Only because they thought it would keep some autonomy for them while they knew a nationalist victory would mean none. Such a fascinating war (if that's not an offensive word for a conflict that killed so many). I have a book shelf creaking under the weight of spanish civil war books.

[hibby rae]

However in the Basque Country, Catholic religious supported the Republican government in the main.

Politics and football always have and always will mix. I rent a ‘No Poll Tax’ banner in the Hibs end st a semi final at Hampden in the late ‘80’s.

I imagine that was down to the strong Basque identity being at odds with the Spain first nationalist ideology.

Agree about the latter, whether people like it or not politics seeps into every aspect of public life.

[hibby rae]

Also a lot of Irish, Scots and British fought and died in the International Brigades.

Spent some time in Madrid last month and walked the streets that they marched through on their way to the front lines (which aren’t far from the center at all).

Fair play to them. They were right about Fascists all along. Took the rest of the world a few years to work it out.

J

Absolutely, in regards to the Irish involvement I think what you see is how independence movements can be broad churches under which left, right, atheist, religious can all exist. So in Spain you see ex-IRA members on both sides.

[Hibrandenburg]

We need to be honest and accept that it's not flags, religion or politics that's the problem, it's the pricks waving them in folks faces to provoke a reaction, bigots and nationalist pricks of any persuasion that are the problem. I don't believe for a minute that the bigot brothers wave Israeli and Palestinian flag to show support for either cause, it's simply done to provoke the other side. ****ing mental when you think that most of these gimps will have zero ties to either Israel or Palestine.

[ancient hibee]

However in the Basque Country, Catholic religious supported the Republican government in the main.

Politics and football always have and always will mix. I rent a ‘No Poll Tax’ banner in the Hibs end st a semi final at Hampden in the late ‘80’s.
Your last sentence has got me absolutely flummoxed.Can you satisfy an old man’s curiosity and explain it.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

A depressing read, those who don't like supporter led political displays largely falling into 2 camps - assumption that working class people/football fans are thick folk, who can't point to X on the map etc, only doing it for X reasons etc. And of course those who claim they want to keep politics away from football, but really mean the politics they disagree with, so Ukraine, celebrating the military, monarchy etc etc all fine.

[Betty Boop]

A depressing read, those who don't like supporter led political displays largely falling into 2 camps - assumption that working class people/football fans are thick folk, who can't point to X on the map etc, only doing it for X reasons etc. And of course those who claim they want to keep politics away from football, but really mean the politics they disagree with, so Ukraine, celebrating the military, monarchy etc etc all fine.
Couldn't agree more.

[Pretty Boy]

A depressing read, those who don't like supporter led political displays largely falling into 2 camps - assumption that working class people/football fans are thick folk, who can't point to X on the map etc, only doing it for X reasons etc. And of course those who claim they want to keep politics away from football, but really mean the politics they disagree with, so Ukraine, celebrating the military, monarchy etc etc all fine.

I think the first point is why I have been as contrary as I have on this thread.

I hate that whole attitude and it's not reflective of most of the football fans I know.

[heretoday]

The Green Brigade exist to cause offence to as many of the watching public as possible. Same with the Rangers. It's what they do.

[Eyrie]

A depressing read, those who don't like supporter led political displays largely falling into 2 camps - assumption that working class people/football fans are thick folk, who can't point to X on the map etc, only doing it for X reasons etc. And of course those who claim they want to keep politics away from football, but really mean the politics they disagree with, so Ukraine, celebrating the military, monarchy etc etc all fine.

On the second point, surely it's those who are in favour of political displays at football games that are only in favour if it is their own politics that are being displayed? The minute's silence for the Queen was an example of that, with those fans who wished to show respect being denied that opportunity by the disruption caused by those who object to the monarchy.

There are plenty of other opportunities to make political points in life so why drag football into it? Wouldn't it be nice to have some respite before re-entering the real world with all its complex problems that can't be solved by waving a flag or chanting a simplistic slogan?

[hibby rae]

On the second point, surely it's those who are in favour of political displays at football games that are only in favour if it is their own politics that are being displayed? The minute's silence for the Queen was an example of that, with those fans who wished to show respect being denied that opportunity by the disruption caused by those who object to the monarchy.

There are plenty of other opportunities to make political points in life so why drag football into it? Wouldn't it be nice to have some respite before re-entering the real world with all its complex problems that can't be solved by waving a flag or chanting a simplistic slogan?

The problem with the minute's silence, in my opinion, was it was an imposition of a political statement on others

[Eyrie]

The problem with the minute's silence, in my opinion, was it was an imposition of a political statement on others

At least we agree that Hibs (and football in general) shouldn't have done it. There were plenty of other opportunities for people to pay their respect or show their opposition to the monarchy.

However it was easy enough to ignore at Easter Road by waiting until it was over to take my seat. The imposition of a political statement on others was done by those who chose to disrupt the silence.

[hibby rae]

At least we agree that Hibs (and football in general) shouldn't have done it. There were plenty of other opportunities for people to pay their respect or show their opposition to the monarchy.

However it was easy enough to ignore at Easter Road by waiting until it was over to take my seat. The imposition of a political statement on others was done by those who chose to disrupt the silence.

I disagree on the latter, as it was a reaction to the original act

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Argument could be made that being apolitical is a political act.

Green Brigade are roasters tho, whether I agree with them or not on certain issues. I’m uncomfortable however with the idea that someone isn’t free or is criminalised for airing their political beliefs in public, even the Huns. “I might not like what you say, but I’ll defend your right to say it” and all that *****.

In regards to people mentioning the minutes silence for Auld Liz; the way I see it everyone got to make their point that day whether by disrupting the silence, not turning up until after it was over or by observing it (and before someone jumps down my throat… I don’t condone disrupting a minutes silence, I didn’t say that).


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[Curried]

I’m just wrapped that the Holy-Ground is back up in the 1’st Division of hibs.net :wink:

[nonshinyfinish]

One of the few (perhaps only) flag to have purple in it.

There are three current national flags containing purple – El Salvador and Nicaragua's both feature rainbows, but the best one is Dominica which has a wee parrot done up in a Hibs away kit:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/1920px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png

Flag debate!

[JimBHibees]

I'd say Real were always a regime team due to being a monarchist team and also, Bernebau was on the nationalist side, possibly a Falangist.

Atletico have Basque roots and, until Franco started a crackdown on non-Spanish languages, they were Athletic Madrid.


The irony of the Green Brigade waving the Second Republic flag is a lot of Irish nationalists supported Franco due to the republic and it's allies being generally anti-religion

Yep we're the Church and press in Ireland not telling all to support Franco.

[hibby rae]

Yep we're the Church and press in Ireland not telling all to support Franco.

That would make sense, the church in Spain were on the nationalist side.

[hibby rae]

There are three current national flags containing purple – El Salvador and Nicaragua's both feature rainbows, but the best one is Dominica which has a wee parrot done up in a Hibs away kit:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/1920px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png

Flag debate!

I'd die for that flag

[SHODAN]

This thread has gotten too political and I don't like seeing politics in front of my eyes. Can we close it please?

[DH1875]

Atletico are right wing. The Frente are as right wing as you'll get, even more than Real and the Ultra Sur. So much so that the Frente see the Ultra Sur as soft and week and call them Maricas. Go to their stadium when their playing a team from the Basque Region (and Catalonia) and you'll see thousands of people doing fascist salutes along with some very questionable songs and banners. Haven't been to the new stadium but the graffiti around the old one would have opened a few eyes. Far right stuff everywhere. They might have been set up by Basques but there has been nothing Basque about them for over 100 years. Oh and yeah, Franco WAS a fan of theirs originally before turning to Real. He used Real politically. The Royal family gave Real status and influence well before Franco got involved.

[Golden Bear]

This thread has gotten too political and I don't like seeing politics in front of my eyes. Can we close it please?

A recurring theme unfortunately.

[James Stephen]

A recurring theme unfortunately.

Its hardly a hijack, the whole point of the thread was specifically to discuss politics in football!

[Hibby70]

There are three current national flags containing purple – El Salvador and Nicaragua's both feature rainbows, but the best one is Dominica which has a wee parrot done up in a Hibs away kit:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/1920px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png

Flag debate!

Doesn't Spain have a purple lion?

[nonshinyfinish]

Doesn't Spain have a purple lion?

In most of the images I can find it's pink, but there are a few where it looks purple. Also a few where it's red. Intriguing.

[Mick O'Rourke]

There are three current national flags containing purple – El Salvador and Nicaragua's both feature rainbows, but the best one is Dominica which has a wee parrot done up in a Hibs away kit:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/1920px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png

Flag debate!

National Anthem at the Dominica Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1HmzCc4g5A

[Lancs Harp]

Remembrance day soon :) always a message board classic!
Same arguement year after year after year, popcorn on order.

[HoboHarry]

This thread has gotten too political and I don't like seeing politics in front of my eyes. Can we close it please?
To do so would be politically incorrect.












:wink:

[Keith_M]

I haven't been able to fully concentrate since somebody mentioned 'basques'



:greengrin

[Dashing Bob S]

Pretty much agree with the original post. Palestinian and Israeli flags at Rantic now operate as surrogate Irish tricolors/union jacks and are solely intended to get a reaction from the opposition idiots.

In fact they aren’t ‘political’ as such. I doubt the idiots who fly them give a **** about the causes other than a very vague belief in armed resistance/terrorism or state security/oppression. If they were truly political they would actively support those groups outside of waving silly flags at football like pantomime dames.

[ancient hibee]

I haven't been able to fully concentrate since somebody mentioned 'basques'



:greengrin

Corsets difficult.

[He's here!]

Remembrance day soon :) always a message board classic!
Same arguement year after year after year, popcorn on order.

Bought a couple of the new plastic-free recyclable poppies earlier ;-)

[Mibbes Aye]

There are three current national flags containing purple – El Salvador and Nicaragua's both feature rainbows, but the best one is Dominica which has a wee parrot done up in a Hibs away kit:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/1920px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png

Flag debate!

Indeed!

When you say three flags you are not including the Wiphala, the flag that represents indigenous Andeans and has been the co-official flag of Bolivia for some years now.

The flag itself is a belter, resembling a Lego animation that's gone haywire.

[Keith_M]

Bought a couple of the new plastic-free recyclable poppies earlier ;-)


I was just reading about them and thought it a bit strange, TBH.

Surely the most environmentally friendly option would to be to wear, well, an actual poppy?

:dunno:

[Mibbes Aye]

Indeed!

When you say three flags you are not including the Wiphala, the flag that represents indigenous Andeans and has been the co-official flag of Bolivia for some years now.

The flag itself is a belter, resembling a Lego animation that's gone haywire.

.

[Onceinawhile]

Remembrance day soon :) always a message board classic!
Same arguement year after year after year, popcorn on order.

Well i sure hope we don't have a minutes silence, or poppies on the Jersey.

Have to keep politics out of football.

[TrumpIsAPeado]

We complain about politics coming into football, unless of course it's our political elite ordering us to support something at the football. Don't recall too many people whinging about any of the Ukraine stuff or the bending of the knee (which does nothing to truly tackle racism), or red poppies...etc. I'd argue that people being slaughtered in a mass genocide isn't really something "political" though. This isn't some ideological tit for tat, it's real people suffering and dying in unimaginable agony.

[Glory Lurker]

Doesn't Spain have a purple lion?

If they don't we need a bit of that. A big purple lion with a quiffed mane, giving it the big toothy smile (with dazzle off it) and unnatural inverted inner claws giving thumbs up. A banner under the lion saying "Which country is ace and has two thumbs?".

Life's too short not to. Dae it, Holyrood.

[Betty Boop]

We complain about politics coming into football, unless of course it's our political elite ordering us to support something at the football. Don't recall too many people whinging about any of the Ukraine stuff or the bending of the knee (which does nothing to truly tackle racism), or red poppies...etc. I'd argue that people being slaughtered in a mass genocide isn't really something "political" though. This isn't some ideological tit for tat, it's real people suffering and dying in unimaginable agony.
:top marks

[Gatecrasher]

We complain about politics coming into football, unless of course it's our political elite ordering us to support something at the football. Don't recall too many people whinging about any of the Ukraine stuff or the bending of the knee (which does nothing to truly tackle racism), or red poppies...etc. I'd argue that people being slaughtered in a mass genocide isn't really something "political" though. This isn't some ideological tit for tat, it's real people suffering and dying in unimaginable agony.

The bit in bold, I think of you went back on some of the old threads, there's plenty of discussions on whether these things should be at the football.

[Ozyhibby]

Yes, but Israel have not 'come near' Celtic Football Club

You misunderstand the strength of feeling among Irish people about the plight of the Palestinians.


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[Ozyhibby]

I agree.

Probably going off on a bit of a tangent here but it must be pretty ***** to be young these days in some ways. If you have strong political feelings then you must feel totally disenfranchised as the main parties all target a demographic of voters who have an interest in largely preserving the status quo often at the expense of helping young people afford further education or get on the property ladder as 2 examples. There is also a print media that largely speaks to a more right wing, older generation. Even the left leaning Guardian is hardly a beacon of hope for young working class people from Leith, Pilton or Niddrie.

I can understand why young guys and girls in particular see a game of football when they are in a big crowd together as a chance to have their voices heard. Take the coronation as an example. Polling showed that there was little interest in it among 18-24 year olds and comparable disinterest among those 25 to mid 30s. Yet we had wall to wall TV coverage, much of it sycophantic. Of course in the days of multiple media platforms it was easy enough to avoid but equally there was little chance for those who opposed it not just to ignore it but actively say we don't agree with this in an arena where they would be heard and seen. I wouldn't have done it but if a few Hibs fans made a banner stating '**** the coronoation, feed the poor' then good luck to them, it got seen and it made their voices heard. I can't think of any other mass gathering at which it would have got as much exposure. No one was forced to join in and no one said you have to oppose the coronation to be a Hibs fan.

Maybe I'm a fantasist, and judging by this thread I'm a minority, but I have no issue with football being used to platform causes. It would be a sad day for me if Hibs opted out of participating in show racism the red card, the rainbow laces campaign or the womens team had opted not to wear the yellow and blue Ukraine kits because a day at the football should be solely about football and nothing else.

Don’t know if your a minority but I agree with you.


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[Ozyhibby]

As much as I hate the huns, it wasn't them holding up banners in support of the so called 'resistance' 3 days after one of the most heinous terror attacks in recent memory. You obviously have your opinions on Britain/Monarchy, but a British football club singing the British national anthem isn't particularly political. The huns do of course sing many political ditties as well, but then so do Celtic. To say that all this goes away if Rangers cease to exist just isn't true. We need rid of both of them and all the mini-huns and mini-tims that have infiltrated the Edinburgh clubs as well.

This post is inducing vomit in me.[emoji2961]


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[Ozyhibby]

Swap the green and blue bits on the 2 flags and you’d see Star of David flags at Parkhead.

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] I assume to just having a giggle?


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[Keith_M]

Perhaps he didnt see it like that. But Hibs were still very much a political club, with a political support, and still seen as a Scots/Irish club well into the 20s.

Out of curiosity, why did your granddad become a Hibs fan?


You said supporting Hibs was a political act but I also find that a strange take on things.

My grandad, on my dad's side, supported Hibs long before WWII but he's from a family background of CofS. He went to matches for the football and started supporting Hibs because they had a decent team in the 1920s.

I can't imagine these are the only examples.

[McD]

You said supporting Hibs was a political act but I also find that a strange take on things.

My grandad, on my dad's side, supported Hibs long before WWII but he's from a family background of CofS. He went to matches for the football and started supporting Hibs because they had a decent team in the 1920s.

I can't imagine these are the only examples.


:agree:

I don’t know a single person who supports their team for political reasons. My family are all Hibs fans, stretching back to the late 20s, also all CofS. No politics, no link to the origins of the club, simply the local club.